Toyota Racing Prepare For Blue Riband Event

The #7 TS030 Hybrid led briefly before a safety car period (Photo Credit: Toyota Racing)

Toyota Racing are gearing up for the biggest race of their season as the FIA World Endurance Championship descends on the Circuit de la Sarthe for the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Japanese team made their debut at the race in 2012 and return for 2013 with two cars, with both cars running to the 2013-specification TS030 Hybrid for the first time of the year. Previous testing results has shown a strong improvement in both performance and reliabilty.

The team completed 2000km of testing at the official Test Day for the twice-round-the-clock race, spending their time refining the set-up of the chassis and powertrain, as well as evaluating tyre performance.

The 2012 race was a debut to forget for Toyota Racing, with neither car making it to the finish after the #7 retired with engine issues six hours from the flag and the #8 crashed heavily whilst lapping a GT car, an accident that would force driver Anthony Davidson to the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

“We are very much looking forward to the Le Mans 24 Hours,” said Team President Yoshiaki Kimoshita. “Last year’s Le Mans was our first race with the TS030 HYBRID so we expected to face some difficulties; this year we are better prepared and we expect to demonstrate that. Leading Le Mans last year, and winning three WEC races, has given us a taste for success.

It would be a dream for us to stand on the top of the podium at such a legendary race. We are facing a very tough opponent in Audi so it is hard to be confident, but we know we have done everything in our power to be ready and we will give 100% effort to succeed. It is a very long week and many things can happen so we must be ready for the challenges to come.”